Using US census data in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States

Author / Creator

Townley, Dafydd, author

Available as

Online

Summary

This case study will provide you with the necessary tools to investigate and acquire worthwhile information from census data. In particular, this case study will look at the decennial national US c...

This case study will provide you with the necessary tools to investigate and acquire worthwhile information from census data. In particular, this case study will look at the decennial national US census data and the US Bureau of Census reports in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. The US federal government, mandated by the US Constitution, has conducted a census every ten years since 1790. The results of the census have important repercussions on American political institutions, most significantly, the allocation of members of the US House of Representatives. It also reveals significant demographic changes to American society, particularly the economic welfare of the population, and federal government and societal attitudes towards race. This case study will assist you with being able to identify changes in differences in living standards between different racial groups in the United States using census data such as that pertaining to income and education achievements. You will learn what questions you can ask of such sources, the methodology behind the collection of the data, and how to find some of the answers. Furthermore, you will be able to confidently navigate these often-formidable collections of statistical data and apply these methods and practices to other collections of the census and statistical data.

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